An Alternative Owner's Manual for Alexa
By: written by Rebecca Ricks and Zoe Bachman, photography and design by Katrina Peterson
Publisher: Nasma Ahmed, Sarah Aoun, and Becca Ricks
Published: 2018
Place of publication: [Cambridge, MA?]
Language: eng
Number of pages: 39
Subjects: Artificial intelligence; User interfaces (Computer systems); Loneliness
Description: This essay compilation by Rebecca Ricks and Zoe Bachman reflects on the prevalence of smart assistants and the concerning attachments people develop towards them. Interspersed with photography by Katrina Peterson of different smart assistant devices, the essays touch on the human attributes we prescribe towards assistants like Alexa and how they can comfort users when lonely or coping with grief. Despite this comfort, Alexa's feminine name and voice can contribute to the dehumanization of women and encourage transactional behaviors towards them. Their reflective questions encourage readers to reconsider their relationship to their devices and reflect on better ways to approach smart assistants.   — Nayla Delgado
Notes: Title from cover.

Purchase; Ricks, Becca at the New York Tech Zine Fair; 2018.